Excalibur (1981)

Nicholas Clay: Lancelot

Photos 

Quotes 

• Arthur : Move aside! This is the king's road - and the knights you joined arms against were his very own.

  Lancelot : I await the king himself. His knights are in need of training.

  Arthur : I am King. And this,

  [draws the sword] 

  Arthur : is Excalibur, sword of kings from the dawn of time. Who are you? What do you seek?

  Lancelot : I am Lancelot of the Lake, from across the sea. And I have yet to find a king worthy of my sword.

  Arthur : That is a wild boast. You lack a knight's humility!

  Lancelot : Not a boast, sir. But a curse. For I have never met my match in joust or duel.

  Arthur : Move aside!

  Lancelot : I will not. You must retreat, or prove your worth in the test of arms under the eyes of God.

  Arthur : Then may He give me the strength to unhorse you. And send you with one blow, back across the sea.

  Lancelot : Then come across, sir.

• [Arthur and Lancelot are fighting at their first encounter] 

  Lancelot : Your rage has unbalanced you. You, sir, would fight to the death, against a knight who is not your enemy. Over a stretch of road you could easily ride around.

  Arthur : So be it. To the death!

• Lancelot : [Lancelot unhorses Arthur, then approaches him still on horseback with his lance held out]  Yield sir, I have the advantage.

  Arthur : [in a fit of absolute rage]  I will not! Fight me from your horse or on foot, but fight me, your avoidance mocks me!

  Lancelot : I sought only not to harm you.

  [knocks Arthur to the ground] 

• Lancelot : [Fatally wounded]  Arthur. Forgive.

  Arthur : Lancelot.

  Lancelot : My salvation is to die a Knight of the Round Table.

  Arthur : You are that. And much more. You are its greatest Knight. You are what is best in men.

  Lancelot : It is the old wound my King. It has never healed. Guinevere. Is she Queen again?

  Arthur : She is Lancelot.

• Arthur : Thanks be to God you're alive.

  Lancelot : Aye, the best Knight in the world bested! This is a great day! For my search is over, my King. Make me your champion.

  Arthur : But your life and lands are far from here.

  Lancelot : I gave up my castle and my lands. Here, is my domain, within this metal skin. And I pledge all that I still own. Muscle, bone, blood and the heart that pumps it.

  Arthur : And a great heart it is. Sir Lancelot, you will be my champion.